Lawn-mower



J.. H. OLOOT'I'. Lawn-Mower.

N'o. 223,750. Pterited Jan; 20, I880 N PETERS, FHOTO-LIYHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON, D C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. OLCOTT, OF MILLSTONE, NEW JERSEY.

LAWN-MOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,750, dated January 20, 1880.

7 Application filed October 20, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J. H. OLCOTT, of Millstone, inthe county of Somerset and the State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lawn-Mowers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to that class of lawnmowers in which one or more spiral revolving cutting-blades are employed and rotated above asinglefixedorstationarycuttipg-blade; andit consists in certain improved devices and modes of construction, which are herein described, and then fully set forgh and pointed outin the claims.

The improvements which constitute my invention are shown in the drawings as attached to the lawn-mower shown in Patent No. 87,286, of February 23, 1869, and reissued for the second time January 28, 1879, N 0. 8,560.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a rear view of 3P2LSSH1OI'612LWILII1OWGI with myimprovements attached. Fig. 2 is a section on line 00 w of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side View with parts broken away. Fig. 4 is a modification of the device employed by me to adjust the cutting-edge of the fixed cutting-bar.

The same figure of reference is employed in connection with the same part in each figure of the drawings.

1 1 are the driving-wheels, of which there are two, one on each side. 2 is the rotary cutter. 3 is the handle by which the machine is propelled and directed. 4 is the fixed or stationary" cutting-bar. 5 is a curved lever or arm attached to the fixed cutting-bar-and extending backward over the small roller in rear of the fixed cutter. 6 and 7 are sides of the machine supporting the ends of the stationary cutter-bar, the small roller, &c. 8 is a bar extending from one side to the other of the machine. Each end of the same is bent or turned up at nearly right angles and bolted to the sides of the machine at 11 and 12. I have shown this method of fastening the device; but any other suitable means may be adopted. At the middle of this bar I place a stand or bracket, 13. This may be a part of the bar 8 and welded thereto or cast in one piece with the same, or it may be a separate piece and bolted fast thereto.

The fixed or stationary cutting-bar is provided with a projection or journal at each end, as shown at 9 and 10, working in hearings in the sides 6 and 7. These journals are placed near the rear edge of the cutter, and it turns upon them whenever required to be moved for purposes of adjustment.

The lever 5 extends backward from the fixed cutting-bar, and is received within the open or slotted part of the bracket 13. A spiral spring, 14, is placed beneath the end of the lever, and is made strong enough to keep such lever firmly against the top of the bracket when so desired. The top of the bracket forms a nut for the screw 15, which bears upon the upper side of the lever 5. By turning the screw the lever is forced downward, compressing the spring, whereby the cutting-edge of the stationary cutter is raised, and by withdrawing the screw the spring is permitted to raise the lever, and the cutting-edge of the fixed cutter is thereby depressed.

In Fig. 4 a modification of the adjusting device is shown. In this the screw 15 is so attached as to both raise and lower the lever 5, working in a slot in the same, to prevent cramping of the screw. The spring in this case may be dispensed with.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction of adjusting device here shown, as the same may be varied and not depart from the principle of my invention, which consists of a cutterbar provided with a single arm or lever and means for acting upon said arm to adjust the edge of the cutter-bar relatively to the revolvin g cutter.

The front or cutting edge of the stationary cutter is bent to almost a right angle, thereby rendering it much easier kept in order, and preventing the machine from clogging but this construction of bar I do not claim as my invention.

I am aware that lawn-mowers have been constructed so that the fixed or stationary cutting-bar is capable of adjustment in respect to the rotary cutter but such devices for adjustment have been at each end difficult of access, and could only be operated by wrench or screwdriver.

The advantages of my invention are that the devices for adjustment are easy of access and controlled by a single thumb-screw, re- 5 i quiring but a moments time to complete the adjustment of the cutting-bar either up or down.

What I claim is 1. In a lawn-mower, the combination of a hinged cutter-bar provided with a single arm or lever, located at or near the center of said bar, and mechanism acting upon said lever or arm, whereby the edge of the said cutter-bar may be adjusted, as described.

2. In a lawn-mower, the combination of a cutter-bar, having hearings or pivots 9 and 10 and a centrally-located arm or lever, 5, and mechanism acting upon said arm or lever, whereby the edge of the cutter-bar may be adjusted in relation to the revolving cutter, as described.

3. In a lawn-mower, the combination of the hinged cutter-bar 4, having centrally-located arm or lever 5, bar 8, extending from one side to the other of the frame of the mower, and

JOSEPH H. OLOOTT.

N. S. WILsoN. I 

